Directed by: Jean-Pierre Melville

Cast: Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Simone Signoret, Claude Mann, Paul Crauchet

Runtime: 145 mins

Sometimes in repetition there is unpredictability. What there is a film that creates its own loop and is finding it hard to get out of it? A loop that makes the characters falls into their own self doubt. The film is filled with colorful characters who gave a fight to the Hitler’s regime they were the French Resistance. They were the last line defense for the French. The film was marred with a lot of controversy and it was released several years in the United States after it was released in France.

The film that consists of escapes and plots against the Germans who have invaded the French. It is shot in several closed location making it seem like a loosing battle the French are fighting. The French resistance keeps waging a war against the Germans. The whole film is constrained by the objective of these few men who have no reason to fight. But they feel that it is in them to resist till the end. Many of their comrades die while they keep plotting against the Germans.

The film takes many of the philosophical themes that were prevalent in France at the time. One of them is the concept of existentialism this is mostly predominating throughout the film. The film is very different from many of its American counterparts like the French Connection made during the time. Each character is driven by singular thoughts and a freedom that is his or her own. This leaves with several freedoms and no common thought that pushes the film forward. These men and women just want to resist the Germans. But with so little ammunition they are left with no hope and a devastating drive that might spell the end of them.

Some of the great scenes from the film come when death is so near to some of the characters. When the main character is about to be executed he runs into a cloud of smoke. A smoke filled with the dust of hopelessness, terror, and somehow a chance of letting go of ideals. But this is not so with another rescue mission to foil the enemies plans. But by now you might wonder what is in this circular plotted film. The film uses the plot to show the vicious circles wars and diplomatic relations create in the world. The film also reverberate the current political climate by taking several core political issues as well. But it might take time for viewers to get used to such cinema. This is one of the rare pieces that create a necessary amalgamation of both politics and philosophy for raising the bar for cinema.

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